Music City Confidential: Where Nashville Theater Stands Now
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 21, 2019
Nashville theater has always been progressive. There have always been people and companies focused on the cutting edge, delivering productions that challenge and compel their audiences to think and to consider where they are now and where they will go in the future, and there is no question that such forward-thinking creative types will continue to wield influence in the theater community for as long as theater is to be created here, there and everywhere.
First Night's Top Ten for 2018 Announced in Nashville
by Jeffrey Ellis - Dec 29, 2017
First Night's Top Ten for 2018 - critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual review of the best in Tennessee theater were revealed last night during a live Facebook broadcast, with the hosts of Midwinter's First Night (Ashley Wolfe, J. Robert Lindsay, Tosha Pendergrast and Ben Pendergrast) announcing the productions and performances recognized among the best of 2017.
FRIDAY 5 (+1): THE MOTHERF*CKER WITH THE HAT Opens Tonight
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 21, 2017
Shawn Whitsell's Destiny Theatre Experience celebrates its tenth anniversary starting tonight with the opening of Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Motherf**ker With the Hat at Nashville's iconic Darkhorse Theater. Directed by Kurt Jarvis and featuring a cast of local stage favorites, along with some intriguing newcomers, including Michael Carlo, Megan Blevins, Matt N. Smith, Amie Lara and Tony Insignares.
FRIDAY 5 (+1) on Thursday: CRAZY ALL THESE YEARS' Adcock, McCain, Richmond & Whitmore
by Jeffrey Ellis - Apr 13, 2017
Opening tonight at Nashville's iconic Darkhorse Theater is multi-hyphenate Jeff Swafford's (he's a playwright-producer-filmmaker-director, among other things) play Crazy All These Years, which stars a cast of Nashville's best-known actors, including Jennifer Richmond, Michael Adock, Cinda McCain and Daniel Hackman.
The Friday 5: MEMPHIS' Paul, Adcock and Rankins
by Jeffrey Ellis - Mar 11, 2016
If this is Friday, then there's got to be a new production opening tonight, right? And sure enough, down in Woodbury - home of the Arts Center of Cannon County - 2015 First Night Honoree Darryl Deason unveils his latest directorial assignment with Memphis, The Musical, starring Melinda Paul (most recently seen onstage in Circle Players' Sister Act) and Michael Adcock (who has performed on stages throughout Middle Tennessee) and an ensemble filled with many local stage veterans (including Quantavius Rankins, who closed Dreamgirls at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts less than a fortnight ago) and newcomers.
Nashville Children's Theatre's SCOT COPELAND Dies
by Jeffrey Ellis - Feb 25, 2016
Scot Copeland, longtime producing artistic director of Nashville Children's Theatre and one of the world's leading proponents of theater for younger audiences, died during the overnight hours of February 25 from an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Rene Dunshee Copeland, producing artistic director of Nashville Repertory Theatre, his two sons, many family members and countless 'chosen family' and friends all over the world.
ROSA, A TRIBUTE TO ROSA PARKS to Play Ware Center, 2/18
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 4, 2014
The Ware Center has established a tradition of presenting stunning one-person theatrical pieces - professional showcases that not only entertain but enlighten its audiences. Last year the shows on Harriet Tubman, C.S. Lewis and five characters from the battle of Gettysburg sold-out, brought the audience to its feet and profoundly affected the way we look at life.
First Night's Top 10 of 2012: THE OUTSTANDING THEATRICAL EVENTS
by Jeffrey Ellis - Dec 27, 2012
It's been a busy year in Nashville theater in 2012, with audiences treated to a whole slate of theatrical offerings spanning multiple genres-from productions of time-honored classics to new and original contemporary works, from dramas to comedies, from straight plays to musicals-and giving local theater-goers more opportunities than ever before to be challenged by the onstage magic created by some of Tennessee's most talented and gifted artists.
Photo Coverage: The 2013 First Night Honors Red (actually Orange) Carpet Arrivals
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 6, 2012
Dressed to the nines-despite forecasts of thunderstorms and a tornado watch that hung over the region-theater people from throughout Tennessee gathered at Belmont University's Bill and Carole Troutt Theatre on Sunday night for the 2013 First Night Honors. Hosted by Holly Shepherd and Joel Diggs, the gala evening honored eight leading lights of Tennessee theater as they were recognized as members of the First Night Class of 2013 Honorees.
Class of 2012 First Night Honors Revealed at Monday's Preview Party
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jul 24, 2012
Eight individuals, whose names attest to the depth and breadth of live theatrical performance in Nashville, have been named as members of the 2012 Class of First Night Honorees and will be feted with a special tribute concert on Sunday, September 2, at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre.
First Night 2011 Gears Up to Celebrate Live Theater in Tennessee
by BWW
News Desk - Aug 27, 2011
Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.
STAGE TUBE: First Night Nashville promo released
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 18, 2011
First Night: The Honors Gala is set for Sunday, September 4, at the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the Red Carpet Event, hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer, with fashion commentary by Cary Street, Joshua Waldrep and Lisa Garner Harrison. Impresario Johnny Delarocco (aka John Pyka) will produce a special Red Carpet performance by his company just for First Night.
Photo Coverage: 2011 Class of First Night Honorees' Official Portraits
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 5, 2011
Five of the six honorees - Brewer, Hoff, Proctor, Sasser and Shute-Pettaway - gathered on the East Bank of the Cumberland River on Wednesday, August 3, to have their official First Night photographs taken by acclaimed Nashville photographer Barry A. Noland. Atha is out of town until month's end, when she returns for all the First Night festivities.
First Night 2011 Gears Up to Celebrate Live Theater in Tennessee
by Jeffrey Ellis - Aug 2, 2011
Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.